Early Childhood Regional Access Coach - Center for Learning, Education & Employment - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

12d • Remote

About The Position

The Regional Access Coach/Specialist partners with the Tennessee Department of Education’s Early Learning Division and Division of Special Education and Intervention Programming to implement the Early Childhood Access for All Learning Network. The network provides training and support for preschool students with disabilities across Tennessee. The role interprets state directives to expand inclusive opportunities and access to developmentally appropriate environments and high-quality instruction, with the goal of improving outcomes for preschool students with disabilities.

The coach supports selected districts in implementing training principles through interpreting directives, assessing performance, designing and delivering training, direct observation, coaching, and evaluation. The position requires knowledge of developmentally appropriate instruction and practices for children ages 3–5 in least restrictive environments in Tennessee, and an understanding of developing Instructionally Appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IAIEPs). The coach works with educators and district leaders on inclusive environments, social-emotional supports, and instruction, and collaborates with partners to support educators across the state. Frequent travel to assigned Tennessee districts is required; the posting estimates weekly travel to districts within 1–2.5 hours. The role may be remote in East or Middle Tennessee.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Education or Special Education.
• Teaching certification; Special Education certification is preferred.
• At least 3 years of experience in early childhood education.
• Ability to speak in front of large groups.
• Ability to schedule and manage time effectively.
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood education.
• Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, self-reflective skills, and active engagement in professional development.
• Skill in training and/or coaching educators and supporting their professional development.
• Ability to navigate virtual and online platforms such as Google Workspace and Zoom.
• Ability to model lessons and teaching techniques for other educators.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States full-time without requiring employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree, preferably in Education or Special Education.
• At least 5 years of early childhood teaching experience, including work in a setting focused on inclusion of students with disabilities.
• Ability to write instructionally appropriate IEPs.
• Ability to deliver impactful training to educators and administrators.
• Understanding and knowledge of Pyramid Model Practices and CLASS.
• Ability to engage and build relationships with educators, administrators, support personnel, and other TDOE personnel to improve student outcomes.
• Special Education teaching certification.

Responsibilities

• Ensure fidelity of classroom implementation of training principles related to access to high-quality core instruction and intensive intervention.
• Make decisions concerning the development and implementation of Instructionally Appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IAIEPs).
• Interpret state directives for individual districts and classrooms by developing and monitoring quality improvement plans.
• Collaborate with TDOE’s Early Learning Division and Division of Special Education and Intervention Programming, ensuring project guidelines and goals are met, including fiscal allocations.
• Coordinate with the Access for All Learning Network team to align and coordinate support to districts, schools, and educators.
• Collaborate with other contractors partnered with TDOE when assigned districts participate in multiple partnerships.
• Conduct needs assessments and planning meetings with teachers and district leaders to identify needed support.
• Travel weekly to assigned districts to provide coaching and training support.
• Work with district administrators to assess district, school, and educator needs and provide direct coaching.
• Collaborate with district Inclusion Leadership Teams to develop inclusion plans with goals and action steps for systemic change.
• Achieve reliability and observe educators and classroom environments using quality assessment measures such as CLASS and/or TPOT.
• Conduct pre- and post-CLASS observations for selected teachers in participating districts.
• Ensure districts enter survey data for learning networks, communities of practice, and regional access coach coaching.
• Enter data into designated systems and use observation data to coach educators in setting goals for growth in quality practices.
• Design and/or deliver Early Childhood Access for All training and contribute to training content based on district needs, collaboration, observations, and evaluations.
• Lead or participate in in-person summer trainings, monthly virtual or in-person communities of practice, and monthly virtual or in-person learning network meetings.
• Attend professional development conferences and workshops.
• Redeliver training content to schools and educators as required.

Benefits

• Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and development and training opportunities.
• UT benefits are referenced, but specific benefits are not detailed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level